Jail for fraudster who used 15 identities

A "fantasist" who used 15 identities to steal £118,000 by falsely claiming VAT refunds has been jailed for seven years.

Alison Reynolds, 48, stole the identities of work colleagues, friends and even used a credit card in her mother's name to set up theatrical companies in the five-year scam, Southampton Crown Court was told. Prosecutors said the firms she set up were vehicles to commit fraud.

She admitted forgery, fraud and cheating the public revenue.